That's something the Longhorns have known since the end of last week. Because of Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills testing, all teams were off Tuesday. The best news for both teams is they have had a week to prepare and will have a full complement of pitchers available.

Of the teams, though, Caprock has the greater sense of urgency.

"This week is a must-win," Gavina said. "We need to eliminate the errors and mistakes. We're just refocusing on basics. We're trying to fine-tune our areas of need and keep things upbeat."

Dumas enjoys a margin for error Caprock doesn't. Even if the Demons lose today, they can still make the postseason with a win Saturday.

"If we take care of business, we're right where we need to be," Dumas coach Stan Williams said. "Caprock is a scrappy ball club. I can't really tell you about being in the driver's seat until Friday night."

In the teams' first meeting of the season, Dumas beat Caprock, 2-1, in Dumas. Derrick Valenzuela threw a four-hitter and struck out nine for Dumas, and Caprock starter Jimmy Buckner struck out eight.

Today, Valenzuela will return to the mound, and Nolan Glasscock is scheduled to throw for Caprock.

 Sandies visit Coronado for 2-5A crown: Another Amarillo Independent School District team also is fighting for playoff positioning, but unlike Caprock, Amarillo High knows it will be in the playoffs. The only thing the Sandies are uncertain of is if they will be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed out of District 2-5A, which will be determined at 7 p.m. today at Lubbock Coronado.

AHS (25-6-1, 9-2 in 2-5A) and Coronado (22-10, 8-3) split two previous meetings, both winning by one run at home. Today's winner will enter the playoffs as the district's No. 1 seed as Coronado would win the tiebreaker by virtue of having beaten the Sandies twice in three meetings.

"When it comes down to one game, it's a big deal to want to win it," first-year AHS coach Jeff Timmons said. "It's a big game, but you've got to look at the situation you're in and know you're still going to the playoffs."

The twist to the plot in the season series between the teams is Coronado coach Gary Hix coached Amarillo High for seven seasons prior to leaving for Lubbock last summer.

 3-4A seeding game set: Should Canyon (24-5, 12-1) and Frenship (18-11-2, 12-1) finish tied atop 3-4A, a seeding game will determine the No. 1 spot in the playoffs. That game is tentatively set for 1 p.m. Saturday in Plainview.

 How they break down: Some teams have finished the regular season, others still have game left, and a few still have two games to play.

How things stand for area teams in the smaller classes.

 In District 1-3A, the playoff participants are set with Borger at 6-2 and Pampa and Perryton 5-3. Borger will clinch the district title and a first-round bye with a win against Pampa on Saturday, but a Pampa win and a Perryton victory against Dalhart would create a three-way tie and seeding still would need to be determined.

 Bushland (7-0) has won District 1-2A and will enjoy a first-round bye. Childress (5-2) and River Road (4-3) are also in the playoffs, and if Childress beats Bushland on Saturday, the Bobcats will be the No. 2 seed. If Childress and River Road finish tied for second, a tiebreaker will be needed since the teams split during the season.

 District 5-1A is the only area district whose seeds and order are set, with Hale Center No. 1, Lockney No. 2 and Nazareth No. 3.

 Follett won District 6-1A and earned the first-round bye, while West Texas High has clinched a playoff spot but is uncertain about seeding. Claude (5-4) will clinch a playoff spot by beating Follett, but a Claude loss and a Booker win against Boys Ranch would cause a tie and a playoff for the third and final postseason slot.

 At 15-0 overall, including 10-0 in District 7-1A, Clarendon is the area's lone unbeaten team and has clinched the district title. Memphis (8-4) has finished the regular season and is in second ahead of Wellington and Electra at 7-4. The final two seeds have yet to be determined.